While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced multiple stay-at-home orders nationwide, putting on the NFL Draft with the usual fanfare was not an option this season without delaying it heavily.

Additionally, given that the NFL wants to begin their season on time, postponing the NFL Draft was also not in the cards, but now we have more of an idea of what the event will look like.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, multiple NFL teams are preparing for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft to be held entirely online and done from their homes virtually.

High-level officials from multiple NFL teams are now preparing to do the April 23-25 draft virtually, from home, away from their team facilities, league sources tell ESPN. Awaiting final decision from NFL on an unprecedented draft.

So while the draft prospects may not be in college this semester, they will still need to utilize zoom like everyone else their age. This time, it'll be supplementing the largest moment of their lives up to this point. It should still be special and surely they will still get a call from the general manager before the pick gets announced on television.

Also, given the news of an all-online NFL Draft let social media run wild.

This year, the NFL will be pushed to the brink in how to get creative, to turn one of their biggest events of the year into compelling TV. In part, the mystery behind how they're going to pull this off will be reason enough to watch.

Virtual war rooms, live look-ins and overall logistics once a players' name is called will be fascinating.

Will it have the pomp and circumstance of the Las Vegas Strip? No.

But, it will still be interesting to see how it's presented and how they'll pull it off.

And let's be honest, at this point, the country will take any taste of sports it can get.

Tyler Lockett lays out ways to participate if you are not out protesting

Tyler Lockett lays out ways to participate if you are not out protesting

Ever since George Floyd was murdered by a police officer in Minneapolis last week, protests have been sparked nationwide for a drastic change in police brutality and their treatment of African Americans in today’s society.

In hindsight, Floyd’s death has brought attention to people who did not think racism is still alive and well in today’s world.

It sadly still is, but change is certainly coming and people want to come together to figure out ways to help.

Protests, for some people, might not be their cup of tea.

To be very fair, that is completely understandable.

Some people might worry that they might get hit with tear gas, rubber bullets, be suspected as a looter, or be on the wrong side of when the curfew is in place.

Those fears are very real, and it is okay if you don’t want to go out and protest.

Now if you want to help and difference, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett wants to help you out on ways to do that.

In a recent Instagram post, Lockett shared a few ideas of how you can still do your part if you are not out protesting.

Former Seahawk Michael Bennett gives advice to white people who want to help

Former Seahawk Michael Bennett gives advice to white people who want to help

Former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett was never shy about speaking his mind.

With an important week of protests to combat institutional racism, Bennett wants to help white people who want to know how to help with all this.

In the latest episode of former Eagles defensive end Chris Long’s Green Light podcast, Bennett and Patriots safety Devin McCourty openly talked about the ongoing nationwide protests against racism, police brutality and the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota.

During the discussion, Bennett wanted to give white people some advice on what they should do if they want to help make a difference.

I think white people need to start studying. As a black man, I can't tell you how to not be racist. I can't tell you how to be inclusive. I can't tell you any of those things. That's a self-journey. That's a self-awareness journey. I think African-American people have had to conform myself to fit in certain areas, whether it was in sports or in the culture, being told, 'You're too this, you're too that, you're too that,' and they're basically saying, 'You're too black.' Right? So now it's a situation where [...] you have to figure out your own journey, to really find out why people are feeling this way.

This protest, with George Floyd and these things, there's history behind it. I implore white people to do some research. Go look at Emmett Till. Go look at Steven Biko. Go look at Nelson Mandela, Patrice Lumumba. Go look at what happened to Medgar Evers, when he was killed in front of his house. Go look at what happened to those girls who were bombed in Alabama. Go look at it. It's the history here. Look at it. We talk about Martin Luther King, but look at the history and how Martin Luther King was treated, how he was chased, how he received assassination attempts on his life. This is the man you look up to.

What Michael Bennett is trying to say is very simple: The more you research and understand the history, the better the process it will be for this country to move forward from this.

The protests are not just about George Floyd’s death, but about something larger that people are now starting to realize.

Later, Bennett gave his thoughts on how the NFL can show they are with the players.

Change the name of the Washington football team.

I think the Redskins can change their name. That's one way, that's a start right there. You say the league is not racist, and you have a team that literally has a racial slur for its name? The Redskins? What if it was the White skins, or the Black skins, or the Yellowskins? People would be upset, right? To me, that's one way.

Honestly, with everything going on, this would be a perfect way to actually spark change.

One more step in the right direction for the NFL’s return to the gridiron occurred Friday.

Ian Rapoport, National Insider for NFL Network, reported that the league has given the green light to coaches to return to practice facilities along with other employees.

Each facility across the league will still have to abide to their government’s mandate and precautions during this COVID-19 pandemic. The San Francisco 49ers are the only team that is still not allowed at their practice facility.

From NFL Now: Some coaches return, others stay away, while the NFL and NFLPA discuss their plan for how training camp and the end of the virtual offseason will be. pic.twitter.com/RAUxFjZ7vL

- Outdoor dining allowed at 50% capacity, all tables and chairs to be 6 feet apart — restaurants must seek approval to expand outdoor seating with their respective city, or with the county for those in unincorporated King County

Ugo Amadi’s message on racial injustice and equality is poignant and real

Ugo Amadi’s message on racial injustice and equality is poignant and real

In wake of George Floyd’s death, the Seattle Seahawks nickel expressed his feelings on racism in this country and the ensuing nationwide protests.

Amadi told Alistair Corp of Field Gulls that he’s had the opportunity to speak with many of his teammates regarding ongoing racial injustice, but his message is one that resonates with everyone.

His full statement below:

It’s a subject you have to talk about among your peers, regardless of your race. We talked about it as a team, it starts off with education, you have to educate yourself. History repeats itself—you have to educate yourself. First, you talk the education, then you talk the racism, then you talk about equality. It doesn’t matter what race you are; it doesn’t matter whether you’re lesbian, straight, bi, it doesn’t matter. It’s about treating people equally. That’s the biggest thing and that’s what we’re not getting right now. People are not seeing that. In this world, God brought people to this world that are good and evil. We’re dealing with good people and evil people. The evil people are overshadowing the good people.

It’s a bad thing we’re going through right now, because we got kids who are going to grow up and be right in the position we are. We need a leader to show the way of how the world is supposed to be, because nobody should be treated better than one another. As an African American, I understand people are looting and stuff like that, but at a certain point, people have to understand what it feels like to have a target on their back, each and every day, no matter the situation.

The Seahawks were one of the first NFL teams to issue a statement decrying racism and violence against the black community in the wake of George Floyd's death in Minneapolis police custody last week.

Floyd died on May 25th after white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Charges were elevated for Chauvin, from third-to-second degree murder on Wednesday. Three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting murder.

Amadi isn’t the only Seahawk to speak out about the recent events. Multiple Seahawks including Russell Wilson, DK Metcalf, Duane Brown, Bobby Wagner, and Tyler Lockett addressed Floyd and described how the video of his death impacted them as an African American men living in the United States.

Seahawks nickel Ugo Amadi isn’t competing against anyone other than himself

Seahawks nickel Ugo Amadi isn’t competing against anyone other than himself

A lot has changed since Ugo Amadi played his last game with the Oregon Ducks, was drafted in the NFL and suited up in a Seattle Seahawks uniform for a first time.

After taking over as the Seahawks primary nickelback spot in his first season, Amadi is poised to be the leading candidate for the starting nickel corner in 2020. In Seattle's last three games, Amadi played 55 defensive snaps, produced five tackles and nearly returned an interception for six points against Carolina in Week 15.

It doesn’t change my mentality at all, I’m still going to go in wanting to win my job every day. I feel like my jobs on the line every day. That’s how it was my rookie year, even on special teams. I’m not worried about competing with nobody else, it’s all about the man in the mirror to me. I want the best for myself, so I’m going to make sure I’m on my stuff at all times, make sure I’m mentally prepared, because if I only focus on other people, I can’t get my own job done. That’s not just with ball that’s with anything in life.

I feel like, with those words being said by Pete, he knows, and I know that will be something that makes me sharpen my iron and make me put in the extra work to know this or know that.

This offseason is certainly different than Amadi’s first year in the league. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the offseason program has gone completely virtual with teams taking to Zoom video conferencing to communicate.

Amadi says he’s been doing a lot of independent film sessions and feels for the rookies who are forced to learn in an alternative environment this year.

Like you said, it’s not like I’m flying blind through it. It’s a good experience, you’re still able to get the work in, coaches ask you questions to make sure you’re focused and locked in, paying attention. But I feel bad for the rookies because defense has certain verbiage and that verbiage is different for every single team. So, they don’t really know until you get that walk-through rep. I feel bad for them. For me, it’s all just memory so it’s another way of learning. It’s a different way of learning but you get something out of it every day—especially with our team.

The 23-year-old mentioned players like Shaquill Griffin, Quandre Diggs and Bradley McDougald, who have taken on leadership roles now that the Legion of Boom has departed.

Amadi says McDougald in particular has helped mentor and shape him as a versatile defensive back.

“He helped me out a lot,” Amadi said. “I used to always watch film with him and he was the one that really taught me the little details and how crucial gap fitting is, and taking notes so you can retain the information. His style of play is something that influenced me, being physical at all times because the opponent will bring it to you every snap, so you have to prepare for that mentally and physically.”

If Amadi obtains the slot corner starting spot, he'll join McDougald, Griffin, Diggs and Tre Flowers as presumptive starters on the Seahawks secondary when Seattle kicks off the season this fall.

During the NFL Draft, Seattle GM John Schneider revealed that the 30-year-old linebacker had underwent surgery and was in the rehabilitation process.

“I’m not sure of the timeline on when he’s going to be back,” Schneider said. “Hopefully, he makes it back on time, and we’ll see how it goes. It’s just a weird offseason. I mean for everybody, but especially for guys that have had offseason surgery.”

Some had speculated that Wright, who started 124 games in his nine seasons for Seattle, was planning to retire after the Seahawks took Texas Tech linebacker Jordyn Brooks in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

But Schneider instead hinted at the possibility the 10-year pro could move to the strongside linebacker spot, providing him with more opportunities to rush the quarterback. Brooks would have a chance to compete for the weakside linebacker position of the future next to Bobby Wagner.

Wright is entering the final year of his contract this season. Wright, along with Wagner and veteran Bruce Irvin, are expected to be Seattle’s starting linebackers in 2020.

Bobby Wagner spent nearly an hour talking to reporters earlier this week via Zoom. Most of the conversation, of course, centered around the murder of George Floyd and the ensuing protests that continue as we head into the weekend.

But there was some football talk as well, namely Wagner’s thoughts on his defense heading into 2020.

The Seahawks were average at best on that side of the ball last season. Seattle’s defense ranked 18th in DVOA, 22nd in scoring defense, 26th in yards allowed and T-30th in sacks. The one saving grace was that the Seahawks ranked third in takeaways (16 interceptions, 16 fumble recoveries).

“I think we’re hungry,” Wagner said. “I think we can look back defensively from last year and really know that we didn’t play to a level we could have played at. We don’t want to lower the standard. The standard is set. We want to make sure that we reach that standard and push that standard up.”

The jury is still out as to whether or not they took enough steps this offseason to ensure that the group will be better this year. Jadeveon Clowney remains a free agent and it’s been discussed ad nauseam that Seattle is yet to sign a premier pass rusher.

To this point, the Seahawks have chosen lower-budget free agent options Benson Mayowa and Bruce Irvin while using second and fifth-round picks on Darrell Taylor and Alton Robinson, respectively.

In the secondary, they added veteran corner Quinton Dunbar via trade with the Redskins. It was a savvy move from John Schneider that could end up being his best of the offseason. It could also end up being an absolute zero depending on how Dunbar’s armed robbery charges play out. (It should be noted that the charges seem flimsy at this point, which is good news for Dunbar and the Seahawks.)

Seattle used its first-round pick on linebacker Jordyn Brooks. How quickly he integrates into the defense and what his role will be is arguably the biggest wildcard on Seattle’s defense heading into the season.

So while there have been some intriguing additions, there are still major question marks when you look at Seattle’s roster on paper. Wagner, as should be the case with any leader, isn’t deterred.

“How things look on paper is just paper,” the linebacker said.

Wagner pointed to having safety Quandre Diggs for a full season as another source of optimism. Diggs, a midseason trade acquisition in 2019, transformed Seattle’s defense upon his arrival. In just five games, he tied for the team-high with three interceptions (Tre Flowers also had three) and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.

That’s even more impressive when you consider that he arrived in Seattle while nursing a hamstring injury and then suffered a sprained ankle towards the end of the season. A healthy Diggs should continue to be the lynchpin in the Seahawks secondary in 2020.

“That’s just one example,” Wagner said. “I think we have great leadership. I think we are hungry. Personally, I can’t wait to get back out there on the field.”

Seattle, along with the rest of the league, has been limited to virtual team meetings due to COVID-19. But while the offseason program was essentially scrapped, there’s optimism that training camp will be able to start on time. That’s when we’ll get our first glimpse at this year’s version of Wagner’s defense.

As previously reported by Jeremy Fowler and Brady Henderson of ESPN, the 28-year-old has been working with the NFL to lift his indefinite suspension. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will oversee Gordon’s reinstatement.

Gordon was claimed off waivers by the Seattle last November. He recorded seven receptions for 139 yards in five games as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll didn’t close the door on a possible Gordon return and urged Gordon to use the resources the league offers to receive help.

Russell Wilson could certainly use more weapons in 2020, despite the Seahawks adding speedy wideout Phillip Dorsett to the roster in March. Wilson has been reportedly advocating for Seattle to add free agent Antonio Brown, who continues to sit on the Commissioners Exempt List for allegations involving sexual assault towards his former trainer.

Floyd died on May 25 after white police officer Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck for more than eight minutes. Charges were elevated for Chauvin, from third-to-second degree murder on Wednesday. Three other officers were charged with aiding and abetting murder.

Three memorials over six days are planned in cities where Floyd born, grew up and died.

We’ve been here before, and we’ve been through this before from my younger players, the guys that are the rooks coming in, it’s an opportunity for them to hear from our leaders and we have marvelous guys that speak on behalf of the communities, that speak on behalf of their families and on behalf of themselves as teammates, they show the way for younger guys that they can speak and talk in our environment and communicate all in the hopes of finding some kind of sense of understanding and how do we take the next step with this new experience that we just lived through, so horrific as it is again. -- Pete Carroll

Seattle is just one of many teams allowing players time off to watch the memorial.

Arizona Cardinals running back Kenyan Drake shared a post on Twitter that the Cardinals are doing the same.

Cardinals have granted us the day off from meetings to honor George Floyd’s memorial. We are but a small cog in a big machine but gestures like these create dialogue and expands the vision to help take the next steps for a better tomorrow. Peace and love